Key protector



Sept. 27', 1927. 1,643,904

U. L. RIFE KEY PROTECTOR Filed April 2, 1927 INVENTOR Z wn'ggses I BY wig/ll]; ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 27, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KEY PROTECTOR.

Application filed April 2,

This invention relates to a key protector or retaining device.

The principal object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the indicated character which may be associated with the keyhole plate of a door lock to retain a key in the door lock to prevent the key from falling out of the keyhole when the door slams shut, to the end that the key will not be lost.

The nature of the invention and its distinguishing features and advantages will appear when the following specification is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of akeyhole plate of a door lock, a portion of the plate being shown, and the key protector of the present invention being shown in place.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on .the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and showing the manner in which the shank of a key is engaged by the key protector.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, it will be apparent that there has been shown a door plate 10 of a door lock, the said plate having the usual keyhole 11. The key protector or retaining device of the present invention is adapted to be associated with or to engage a portion of the plate 10, so as to be juxtaposed with respect to the keyhole 11, and isfurther adapted to engage the shank of a key to prevent the same from accidentally falling out of the keyhole 11.

The key protector or retaining device consists of an element having plate engaging means at one end, and a non-metallic flexible means at the opposite end which engages the shank of the key. In the present instance the element 12 is bent and formed from a single piece of spring metal to provide the plate engaging means, in the form of a hook 13 at one end of the element, and clamping 1927. Serial No. 180,525

portions 14 at the opposite end of the element. One of said portions is upstruck to provide prongs 15. The non-metallic, .fleX- ible key engaging means is in the form of a piece of rubber 16 which is clamped between the portions 14; with the prongs 15 of one of the portions impaled in the piece of rubber. One end of the piece of rubber 16 projects beyond the clamping portions 14, as at 17.

To make use of the device, it is only necessary to engage the hook 13 with a side edge portion of the plate 10 so as to bring the projecting portion 17 of the piece of rubber 16 disposed in line with the keyhole 11. When the key is inserted in the keyhole 11, the portion 17 of the rubber piece 16 will engage the shank of the key indicated at 18. The piece of rubber 16 so engaged will exert enough pressure on the shank 18 of the key to prevent the key from falling out and becoming lost when the door slams shut.

I claim:

1. A key retaining device comprising an element bent and formed from a single piece of spring metal to provide a hook at one end of said element, and clamping portions at the opposite end thereof, and a flexible member held in place by said clamping portions.

'2. A key retaining device comprising an F element formed from a single piece of spring metal to provide a hook at one end of said element, clamping portions at the opposite end of said element, and prongs on one of said clamping portions; and a piece of rubber held in place by said clamping portions with said prongs impaled in said piece of rubber, an end portion of the piece of rubber projecting beyond said clamping portions.

URIAH L. RIFE. 

